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Orbulina (orb-you-line-a) - light microscopic image of a living planktonic foraminifer showing the large, spherical calcitic shell that encloses a smaller more dense spiral shell attached laterally on the inside. Numerous spines radiate out from the surface of the shell and contain dinoflagellate algal symbionts that are enclosed by the foraminferal cytoplasm that streams outward along the spines.
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Globigerina bulloides.
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A living planktonic foraminifer with a multi-chambered, calcitic shell and numerous radiating spines that are attached to the surface of the shell. Algal symbionts, enclosed by the foraminferal cytoplasm that streams out of the shell, appear as golden-yellow spherules scattered along the surface of the spines.
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Orbulina (orb-you-line-a) universa, a large planktonic foraminiferan, with algae distributed along the radiating pseudopodia. This is a juvenile form, with numerous symbiotic algae. This is an example of one of the four types of large amoebae which is common in the marine water column. Dark ground image by Dave Caron.
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Hastigerina (has-tidge-err-ine-a) pelagica, is one of the pelagic foraminifera, in which the test is formed of almost spherical chambers. The test gives rise to long spines as well as to many pseudopodia. This species contains symbiotic algae, and some are visible as orange dots in the pseudopodial halo around the cell. This is an example of one of the four types of large amoebae which is common in the marine water column. Dark ground image by Dave Caron.
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Hastigerina (has-tidge-err-ine-a) pelagica, a large planktonic foraminiferan, in which the test (broken) is formed of almost spherical chambers. The test gives rise to long spines as well as to many pseudopodia. This species contains commensal algae, and some are visible as orange dots in the pseudopodial halo around the cell. This is an example of one of the four types of large amoebae which is common in the marine water column. Dark ground image by Linda Amaral-Zettler
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Orbulina universa, a colonial pelagic foraminifera, this is a adult form in which the juvenile chambers are enclosed within a single large chamber. This is an example of one of the four types of large amoebae which is common in the marine water column. Dark ground image by Dave Caron.
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Hastigerina pelagica - this is a large pelagic foraminiferan. There are a number of small central chambers, from which radiate numerous calcite spines and pseudopodia. There is a large fluid bubble capsule which provides buoyancy. This guy has captured a small copepod within the pseudopodial network. Evidently a carnivore, despite the capacity for photosynthesis provided by numerous commensal dinoflagellates. This is an example of one of the four types of large amoebae which is common in the marine water column. Dark ground image by Dave Caron.
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Orbulina universa.
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Globorotalia (globe-owe-rot-al-ee-a) menardii, one of the foraminifera which occupy a multi-chambered test. The cytoplasm has an orange colour. This is a non-spinose planktonic organism. Dark ground image by Dave Caron
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The test of this foram shows the scar left by an attack from a predator, possibly a member of the foram genus Floresina. Photo courtesy of Kurt S.S. Nielsen. Image first appeared in J. Foram Res. 31:93-95, and is used with permission.
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Closeup of a predation scar. The large holes, left by the predator, are infilled with clayey sediment. The scar is about 150 um across. Photo courtesy of Kurt S.S. Nielsen. Image first appeared in J. Foram Res. 31:93-95, and is used with permission.